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In general, Type A and Type AB have more bronchial infections than Type O and Type B. This may result from improper diets, which produce excessive mucus in their respiratory passages. This mucus facilitates the growth of blood type mimicking bacteria, such as the A-like Pneumococcus bacteria in Type A and Type AB, and the B-like Hemophilus bacteria in Type B and Type AB. (Since Type AB has both A-like and B-like characteristics, the risk is doubled.)

Researchers are just beginning to discover some other blood type connections thatare more complex. For example, it appears that Type A children born to Type A fathers and Type O mothers die more frequently of broncho-pneumonia in early life. It is thought that some form of sensitization occurs at birth between the Type A infant and the mother's anti-A antibodies, which inhibit the infant's ability to fight the Pneumococcus bacteria. There is no solid data yet to confirm the reason that this occurs, but information of this kind can spark research interest in a potential vaccine.